Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Thursday, September 17, 2015

My sister celebrates her 7 year Anniversary as a breast cancer survivor today! Here is her annual tag (I realize it says 6...don't ask...it's a long story...) and a jar full of pink goodies for her. I truly am "tickled pink" - I don't know what I'd do without her.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

This is the mini fabric sampler that I received from Sally in our August swap. I just love how she folded the vintage linen to create the banner. Very creative! Not only was the sampler creative, the goodies she sent along are amazing! Her packaging was stellar- I saved every morsel! She sent 2 handmade cards, into which she had inserted a removable folded paper with her sentiments on them. Just remove the paper insert, and you have a beautiful blank card that you can use again. Genius!

My most favorite is the handmade button card...absolutely swoonworthy! I'm sure I've forgotten something in this picture...but at least you can get a sense of the awesomeness of it all... Thanks, Sally!

Sunday, September 06, 2015

These are among the finds from a recent estate sale. I had them stacked like this on my dining room table (ie Grand Central Station) to carry into my studio. It looked so precious I had to stop and take a picture! Oh the grace-filled little things that make my heart sing!

Sunday, August 23, 2015

This is the fabric sampler I made for Patty in Kansas for the August swap. I just happened to find this little vintage hankie in the same colors at an estate sale while I was working on the sampler, so it was meant to be among the little extras to send along. Serendipity!

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Happy Birthday to my sister and her sweet daughter, who just happened to be born on her mom's 30th birthday! I love them both! They are both going to get a very special belated birthday gift soon...a little bundle of joy who is due in October... Oh happy day!

Saturday, August 01, 2015

So much going on this summer! I had to take most of the month of July off for recovery from some surgery that I had at the end of June. (All is well!), but the swap goes on! I'm having such fun with it! The first photo is the July mini fabric sampler and goodies that I sent to Marti in San Diego. The image I used makes me smile and reminds me of fun times with friends when I was growing up in the 60's & 70's!
I'm also sharing the wonderful July sampler that I received from Lorraine. She is so talented. I just love everything about it! And check out the hand stamped ribbon, butterfuly embellishment and lovely handmade card she sent as well. Oh and that hand dyed ribbon that I love so much ! (might Debbie have had a hand in that?)
See you soon!

Saturday, June 27, 2015

This is the mini fabric sampler that I received from May for the June swap. I just love the heart, and it is so nicely done. May has a very special talent that is evident in everything she creates! She also spoiled me with some fabtastic London inspired fabric (swoon!) and a tag. She also sent such a pretty butterfly applique. May lives in the UK and she knows I am obsessed. Her parcels always say "Royal Mail" on the envelope when they arrive, which I just love! It is a dream of mine to visit England some day. I watch BBC shows more than I do anything else, so you know I'd be searching for that precious blue police box on every street! I like to joke that if I had a proper British accent, I'd never shut up! Thanks, May! I adore it all!

Monday, June 15, 2015

This is the mini fabric sampler that I made for the june swap. I loved working with this image and these colors so much! I mailed this to Bev along with some fun goodies: a domino charm that I made and a coordinating tag. I also sent her a little hula dancer that is solar powered and dances when the sun shines on her. I have one in my kitchen window and she really makes me smile!

Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Sunday, May 31, 2015

This is the delightful package I received from Bev for the May Swap. I am delighted with the fabric sampler! It really is me. The quote sounds like something I would say! (And I have a few stamps in that line, but had never seen this one.) The colors are perfect and that little charm she made is adorable. (It's a button!)

As you can see, she also spoiled me with a great assortment of goodies. Bev makes jewelry, so I'm sure she made the bracelet herself. And of course, I just love buttons and trims! She topped it off with a beautiful handmade card and wrappings.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Friday, May 01, 2015

This is a cute thank you card that I got from my swapping friend, Deb. She used some of the goodies she received from a giveaway that I hosted on my swap blog. I just love it. It's the perfect image for a lovely May Day!

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Friday, March 27, 2015

This is the March sampler that I made for my friend Heidi for the swap, and my first attempt at applique. It was a fun project, but I've decided I'm not a huge fan of working with lots of teeny tiny pieces. My hat goes off to those who do a lot of applique and sew things like Barbie clothes. I think I would lose my mind...and what's left of my eyesight!

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

I have yet another gorgeous addition to my (future) garland of mini fabric samplers. Elizabeth had my name this month in the swap.

I love everything about this sampler. The soft colors, the background fabric, the quote, the trims....and especially the love that she put into not only the sampler, but the entire package. Look at the pretty wrappings!

She made the beautiful cup of tea tag, and sent along some delightful buttons with my initials on them! Elizabeth always makes it a point to send unique and special things that she knows you will especially love. She is a very special person. Thank you, Elizabeth! I hope I get the opportunity to make a sampler for you sometime this year!

Monday, March 16, 2015

I often think about an old Irishman. One that I happen to look quite a bit like. This is my dad. He had auburn hair (that never grayed), and pretty green eyes. As many an Irishman from his era, he was somewhat prone to shenanigans and often full of malarkey! And I miss him.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields,
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

For the A Swap For All Seasons February swap, I received this mini fabric sampler from Pam in Arizona. She sent a note saying that she thought I could use a little bit of Spring. Indeed! I really like the vintage fabric she used and she told me that it was from vintage curtains that "didn't wash well". Now I like it even more! She even embroidered the word SPRING~ such a sweet touch. It's a lovely edition to the banner/garland that I'm making from the swap samplers.